Menard on brink of district title after win over Eden

Menard High School’s Christian Salazar (00) scored 21 points in the Yellowjackets’ 79-70 win against Eden in a District 16-1A basketball game at the Menard gym on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018. The Jackets can win an outright district title with a win on the road against Brookesmith on Tuesday.(Photo: Charles Bryce / Standard-Times)Buy Photo

MENARD -- Christian Salazar and Garrett Hill scored 21 points apiece Friday night, lifting the Menard High School Yellowjackets to a 79-70 win over Eden that puts them in the driver's seat for the District 16-1A basketball title.

After dropping a 71-57 decision at Eden on Jan. 17, the Jackets were determined to turn the tables on the Bulldogs in the rematch.

Menard and Eden are just 22 miles apart and there was a standing-room-only crowd at the Jackets gym.

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Menard High School's Brody Baugh (right) makes a move to the basket as Eden's Nate Hernandez defends on the play during a District 16-1A basketball game at the Menard gym on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018. Charles Bryce/San Angelo Standard-Times

Menard High School's Christian Salazar (00) Chputs up a shot as Eden's Nate Hernandez defends on the play during a District 16-1A basketball game at the Menard gym on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018. Charles Bryce/San Angelo Standard-Times

Menard High School's Kallin Kothmann controls the ball against Eden's Cole Bible during a District 16-1A basketball game at the Menard gym on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018. Charles Bryce/San Angelo Standard-Times

Menard High School's Josh Hernandez (30) shows his ballhandling skills against Eden in a District 16-1A basketball game at the Menard gym on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018. Charles Bryce/San Angelo Standard-Times

Eden High School's Amaury Brugerolle de Fraissinette heads toward the basket as teammate Erick Pierce (32) and Menard's Noah Rosas get tangled up during a District 16-1A basketball game at the Menard gym on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018. Charles Bryce/San Angelo Standard-Times

Eden High School’s Joshua Meck (2) tries to make a move to the basket during a 79-70 loss against Menard in a District 16-1A basketball game at the Menard gym on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018. Charles Bryce / Standard-Times

Menard High School’s Christian Salazar (00) scored 21 points in the Yellowjackets’ 79-70 win against Eden in a District 16-1A basketball game at the Menard gym on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018. The Jackets can win an outright district title with a win on the road against Brookesmith on Tuesday. Charles Bryce / Standard-Times

Menard High School's Noah Rosas gets ready to put up a shot as Eden's Brian Wilson defends on the play during a District 16-1A basketball game at the Menard gym on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018. Charles Bryce/San Angelo Standard-Times

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After taking a 19-18 lead after the first quarter, Menard came on strong with a 30-19 scoring advantage in the second period to go up 49-37 at the break.

The Bulldogs cut the deficit to 67-58 heading into the final period. Eden couldn't get any closer than eight points down the stretch.

"To be able to beat Eden the second time around is really great because now we've just got to win one more game (at Brookesmith on Tuesday) and we're district champs," said Menard's Tee Jay White, who scored seven points and played well on defense.

"We're playing as a team and that's all it's about in basketball. There's no 'I' in team. You've got to play as a team."

Menard improved to 19-8 overall and 12-1 in district, while Eden dropped to 24-6 and 11-2.

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Eden High School’s Joshua Meck (2) tries to make a move to the basket during a 79-70 loss against Menard in a District 16-1A basketball game at the Menard gym on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018.(Photo: Charles Bryce / Standard-Times)

"We're playing with a lot of confidence and a lot of swagger as a team right now," said Menard's first-year head coach Colby Rives. "That's really carried us through the streak that we're going on right now.

"Our kids are having fun and they're playing loose and they're playing confident and that's the key to our success right now."

A win against Brookesmith on Tuesday will secure an outright district championship for Menard.

Noah Rosas also scored in double digits for the Jackets with 16 points.

Donovan Gonzales and Anthony Moya led Eden with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Rives said he thought the difference in Friday's game and the first meeting in Eden last month was all about the home-court advantage.

Eden head coach Colton Martin agreed.

"We knew Menard was going to play a really good game," the Bulldogs coach said. "They hit a lot of shots that they didn't hit last time and we missed a lot of shots. That's just the way it goes sometimes."